05 santa cruz river cards 2007 - nps.gov · santa cruz river cards students will participate in...

LESSON 5

SANTA CRUZ RIVER CARDS

Students will participate in activities that enable them to identify and review general

characteristics of various animals (amphibians, arachnids, birds, insects, mammals and reptiles)

found along the Santa Cruz River.

Santa Cruz River Cards Page 5.1

SubjectsScience

StandardsScience as Inquiry, Life Science

ObjectivesStudents will: 1. Discern physical and behavioral features of local animal species. 2. Formulate questions to identify animal species.3. Compare, contrast, & classify animal species.4. Write and spell aloud the names of animal species found along the Santa Cruz River.

PreparationFor activities 1, 2 and 4, make copies of Master Pages 5.5-5.16 as needed. For Activity 3, “Bingo,” make copies of Master Pages 5.17 and 5.18 for yourself and each student. Have glue, scissors and beans for markers.

TimeVary activities for 15-50 minute sessions or use for quick questioning.

Vocabularyamphibian, arachnid, bird, habitat, insect, mammal, predator, prey, reptile

The Santa Cruz River is a haven for local critters. Ninety-five percent of the wildlife utilizes the river’s water that provides habitat for myriad animals. Populations of white-tailed and mule deer; javelina; mountain lion; bobcat; jackrabbit; desert cottontail; rock squirrel; valley pocket gopher; opossum; coyote; gray fox; raccoon; badger; spotted, striped, hooded and hog-nosed skunk; porcupine; white-throated woodrat and gray shrew all rely on the river.

Try to picture what it was like when Father Kino first arrived in 1691. After tromping through the desert for days he probably felt as if he were in heaven in the lush cottonwood and willow riparian area. In addition to the aforementioned trees, what is today threatened or endangered was common. This list includes monkey springs pupfish, river otter, jaguar, Mexican (gray) wolf, ferriginous pygmy owl, barking

frog, Sanborns long-nosed bat, Gila topminnow, willow fly-catcher and yellow-billed cuckoo.

The railroad and industrial-ization brought new technology and an increase in population to the area. Travel and movement of commerce improved and supplies were more readily available. Large companies and land owners often took everything they could from the land, destroying habitat and killing wildlife as they did so.

By 1970 the effect of misuse had taken its toll and the Santa Cruz River as surface water dried up except during the rains. Then in 1972, the environment between Rio Rico and Amado improved with the building of the Nogales International Wastewater Treatment Plant in Rio Rico, which, over time, has restored the surface water beyond historical records.

BEAVERCastor canadensi

SANTA CRUZ RIVER CARDS

TEACHER BACKGROUND INFORMATION

LESSON OVERVIEWStudents will participate in activities that enable them to identify and review general characteristics of various animals (amphibians, arachnids, birds, insects, mammals and reptiles) found along the Santa Cruz River.

5

Today we might imagine that the Santa Cruz River looks, at least in places, similar to what it did in the time of Kino. Although chemically treated, the water from the treatment plant has restored habitat between Rio Rico and Tubac that was once doomed. This corridor is now home for myriad animals as well as a haven for nature enthusiasts. The creation of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail now runs from Rio Rico to Tubac and offers great opportunities for hikers and history buffs. Arizona State Parks recently established Sonoita Creek Natural Area with plans of including the riparian corridor from Rio Rico (where Sonoita Creek meets the Santa Cruz at the Rio Rico Golf and Raquet Club) through to Palo Parado.

Tumacacori National Historical Park has expanded its boundary to include over one mile of river and its surrounding riparian area. The implications of protecting and monitoring the river are incredible and manies studies and natural resource inventories are complete or in process. These efforts, along with other areas set aside by the many people and groups working for the river’s betterment also contribute to the legacy we leave our youth - but is it enough?

Education about the river, its history, cultures and its wildlife are essential to insure a future citizenry that will support the river.

LESSON 5 - SANTA CRUZ RIVER CARDS

Page 5.2 Santa Cruz River Cards

RIVER CARDSSanta Cruz River Cards consist of a variety of pictures and descriptive information of all types of critters commonly found along the Santa Cruz River. Included are pictures and descriptions of mammals, birds, reptiles, arachnids, insects and amphibians.

The cards and pictures may be used in a variety of different ways to enhance student knowledge and appreciation of local wildlife. The activities suggest various ways in which you can use the cards, but please don’t be limited by these. We encourage you to find your own games as well.

The pictures and information provided may be utilized as they are, but they are limited in size and description. Please make enlargements as appropriate.

Activity 1Animal Clue Game *

1. Refer to the clues for individual animals on Clue Cards - Master Pages 5.5-5.8. Consider photocopying and laminating cards to make a working copy.

2. Explain to your students that you will be reading clues about a certain type of animal, and they are to try to guess its name. They must listen to all clues before guessing.

3. Read one clue at a time.

4. When all the clues are read, have students say or write down their guess.

Activity 2What Animal Am I *1. Review Information and cards on Species Cards - Master Pages 5.9-5.16. Consider photocopying and laminating cards to make a working copy. (Match pictures and information front to back.)

2. Explain that you have secretly selected an animal species and that they must ask a question to which you will only answer Yes, No, Maybe or Sometimes. For example: Are you as big as a breadbox? Are you a mammal? Do you eat meat?, etc. Model and discuss questions with students.

3. Choose one species from the attached cards, or another of your choice, without letting your students know your selection.

Consider using the cards to:- teach species identification, physical characteristics, feeding and activity habits and habitat.

- reinforce what the students have learned and evaluate the students’ progress.

- identify and classify various animal species.

- compare and contrast the animals represented by finding similarities and differences in their physical characteristics, such as size, shape, coloring, skin and hair texture.

- learn about the types of food that various animals eat, and which animals eat the sames types of food.

- encourage students to learn about and appreciate local wildlife and the areas that they inhabit.


.3Santa Cruz River Cards

Enrichment- Vary Activity 2 by having the class select an animal and the teacher or a student ask

questions with the class answering Yes, No, Maybe, Sometimes.- Assign each student to write a report on specific animals using the information on the

Santa Cruz River Cards as a start.

4. Encourage and coach students to ask appropriate questions about the species selected. The students have to ask at least five questions before they can begin guessing.

5. Repeat the activity with other animals allowing your students (once they know how to play) to take your place.

Activity 3Santa Cruz River Bingo1. Make photocopies of Bingo - Master Pages 5.17 and 5.18, one for yourself and each student.

2. Cut apart the species picture cards on Master Page 5.17 and place in a hat or vessel from which to select.

3. Have students cut out the individual species squares on Bingo - Master Page 5.17 and paste them at random onto Bingo - Master Page 5.18, making individualized bingo cards.

4. When ready to play, select a species card from your hat (see step 2) and either show them the picture or call out the animal name. Discuss the characteristics of the chosen species.

5. Instruct students to place a marker (bean) onto the corresponding square on their individual bingo board.

6. Continue playing until someone calls out “bingo.”

Alternative Bingo PlayGive each student (or have them make) a blank bingo card with the appropriate number of squares. List the names on the blackboard at random and have each student copy the names of each species to be used on the squares. When ready, select pictures of each animal and, without verbally identifying the species, have the children match the name.

Activity 4Card GamesA deck of cards can easily be made by photocopying and cutting out the picture squares of each species on Species Cards - Master Pages 5.9-5.16. You will find the size similar to that of a playing card. Get yourself a deck of old cards and glue the pictures onto the numbered sides, or else copy onto cardstock. Laminate the cards. Instruct your students to play different games such as matching, fish, rummy, or whatever other game you or they might dream up.

* Activities are used with permission

from author, Sharing Nature with

Children and Sharing the Joy of Nature

by Joseph Cornell.



MOUNTAIN LION

Felix concolor1. I am grayish-brown in color with lighter

areas under my belly.2. I look for food only at night.3. Deer is my favorite food but I eat any animal

I can catch.4. I can weigh from 100 to 200 pounds and am

5 feet long not including my tail.5. I have short round ears and yellow-green

cat’s eyes.6. I am the largest cat native to the USA.7. My cousin, after whom I am named, is

known as king of the jungle in Africa.

JAVELINA

Dicotyles tajucu 1. I am busy both day and night.2. I have 4 legs, a small tail, and my hair is very

coarse and oily.3. I cannot see well, but I have a good sense of smell.4. I eat plants, shrubs and roots.5. I do not like anything that gets too close and

will attack if they do.6. Although most of my teeth are flat, I have

two big ones like tusks on an elephant.7. I am considered to be a sloppy eater.8. I look like and am often called a pig.

WHITE-TAILED DEEROdoccileus virginianus couesi

1. I have large ears with white on the inside and gray-brown on the outside.

2. My teeth are not sharp and pointed, but flat.3. I'm small for my family & have a white tail.4. I eat leaves, grass and twigs.5. After my babies are born, they are left with

only their color and spots to hide them.6. I can run very fast and jump very high, even over fences.7. Some of my kind have antlers.8. Bambi is a relative of mine.

RACCOONProcyon lotor mexicanus

1. I am warm blooded with four legs.2. I eat about anything I can get my hands on.3. I am very nimble and can pick up just about

anything with my hands.4. I hunt and look for food mostly at night. I am about the size of a small dog.5. I am often found near water where I hunt

for and clean my food.6. I travel in small groups with two or more

brothers and sisters.7. I have a large bushy tail with rings. Some people mistake me for a bandit.

MEXICAN GREY WOLFCanus lupis

1. I have four legs and I am big.2. I weigh 60 to 100 pounds.3. I hunt for my food at night.4. I prefer meat of larger animals such as deer. 5. I am 5 feet long, have a long nose, and short

ears.6. I can talk with howls, growls and yips.7. My relatives were once found all over the

United States.8. My species was recently returned to remote

parts of Arizona.9. I look like a dog and some call me Lobo.

COTTONTAIL RABBITSylbilagus audubonii

1. I can run and jump very fast.2. I do not have a stationary home, but sleep

under bushes.3. My paws are very furry.4. I am about the size of a small cat.5. I have flat teeth with two bigger ones in the

front.6. People hunt me for my soft warm fur. 7. People consider me to be cute and imitate me

at Easter.8. Part of my name comes from my tail that

looks like a ball of cotton.

LESSON 5 - SANTA CRUZ RIVER CARDS - MASTER PAGE 5.5

Page 5.5Santa Cruz River Cards

STRIPED SKUNKMephitis mephitis

1. My ears are small and rounded.2. I eat mostly anything, but prefer insects.3. I am about the size of a small cat and have a

long bushy tail.4. I am usually a gentle animal but lots of other

animals and people are afraid of me.5. My body color is black with two white

stripes down my back.6. I have a big tail that helps me if I am being

attacked.7. Some people say I smell bad.8. When I get mad, I lift my tail and spray.

SPOTTED SKUNKSpilogale gracilis

1. My ears are small and rounded.2. I eat just about anything, but prefer insects.3. I am about the size of a kitten and have a

long bushy tail.4. My body color is black with various white

spots on my face and body.5. I am usually a very gentle animal, but lots of

other animals and people are afraid of me.6. I have a big tail that helps me if I am being

attacked. 7. Some people say I smell bad.8. When I get mad, I lift my tail and spray.

BEAVERCastor canadensis

1. I am about the size of a small dog.2. I am known as a great swimmer.3. My feet are webbed like those of a duck.4. I have a large, paddle-like tail.5. I have large front teeth to chew wood.6. If I don’t chew wood, my teeth will grow

too big and I will die.7. Many years ago, people blamed me for

starting a disease called malaria and kicked us all out of the southwest rivers.

8. I was re-introduced to the San Pedro River.9. I have a flat tail and like to build dams.

GRAY ROCK SQUIRRELSpermophilus variegatus

1. I am about 20 inches long and grey in color.2. I spend much of my time in the ground.3. At the first sign of danger, I will slip quietly

into my house and stay there until I am safe.4. I have sharp teeth and strong claws.5. I eat seeds, nuts, fruits, berries, grass seeds,

cactus fruits, acorns and pine nuts.6. I am in the same family as rats and mice.7. I am considered to be cute but sometimes. I

have diseases like rabies or plague.8. I have a big bushy tail.

COYOTECanis latrans

1. I am a mammal found all over the USA.2. I am a carnivore, but eat all sorts of things.3. I like to run in groups.4. I look pretty scroungy in the summer but

have a beautiful coat in the winter.5. I can talk with others of my kind by growls

and yips.6. I have a long dog-like nose.7. I am often mistaken for my cousin who is the

wolf, but he is much larger than I.8. I am often seen howling at the moon.

BADGERTaxidea taxus

1. I am short and very strong.2. I have white markings on my face.3. I eat mice, rats and squirrels, which I dig out

of their homes in the ground.4. I am a fighter and attack animals and people

if cornered.5. I am about 2 feet long and weigh 20 pounds.6. I hunt for food only at night, and sleep in a

different place every day.7. I am mostly gray in color, and I have big

claws about 1-1/2 inches long.



NORTHERN CARDINALCardinalis cardinalis

1. If I am a male, my face and throat are black.2. When I choose my mate, we are together forever.3. I love to sing and whistle all year long.4. My bill is very strong and shaped like a cone. 5. I have wings and can fly.6. Seeds are my favorite food.7. I have a pointed crest on the top of my head.8. If I am a boy, I look like a Christmas ornament sitting in a tree.9. My body is bright red!

BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD Archilochus alexandri

1. I am always busy and rarely rest.2. My home is lined with soft cobwebs.3. I drink nectar from flowers and eat bugs.4. Some of my species are about the size of a

human’s thumb.5. I can fly forwards and backwards.6. Sometimes people put food out for me in a

glass jar, from which I drink with my long tongue.

7. I am one of the smallest birds and make a humming sound with my wings when I fly.

GILA WOODPECKERMelanerpes uropygialis

1. My mate and I raise our young together.2. I am very noisy.3. As a boy, I have a red spot on my head. 4. I have a zebra striped cape.5. I live in holes that I make in big trees.6. I eat insects, cacti, berries, and eggs of other

birds.7. I am very commonly seen along the Santa

Cruz River and at Tumacácori.8. I drum on trees or on your house. 9. Some people call me “Woody.”

TURKEY VULTURECathartes aura

1. I am very quiet and rarely talk.2. I live on cliffs or in trees with my friends.3. In the morning, I sit stretched out and sun

bathe to dry off.4. You often see me from the highway circling

in the sky.5. I soar with “V” shaped wings and I hardly

ever flap them.6. I eat only dead animals.7. I have no feathers on my head, which is

bright red like a turkey.8. I am also known as a buzzard.

RED–TAILED HAWKButeo jamaicensis

1. I have two legs.2. I hunt rabbits, snakes and small mammals.3. I am very large for my family.4. My claws are big and sharp for grabbing my

food.5. My call is a high pitched whistle or screech

(one falling note).6. You may see me soaring above the highways,

treetops or cliffs or on telephone poles.7. Some people mistake me for an eagle.8. My tail has red feathers.

GREATER ROADRUNNERGeococcyx californianus

1. I eat all kinds of things, including lizards.2. I live in desert bushes and grasses.3. Sometimes you can hear my call which

sounds like the clanking sound of coo coo-ah coo-ah.4. I have a long body and tail.5. I have two legs.6. My feathers are dark brown with a little bit

of green.7. Although I have feathers, I don’t usually fly.8. When I am near a road and bothered, I will

run away.



GIANT DESERT HAIRY SCORPIONHadrurus arizonensis

1. I am a southwestern desert arachnid.2. My mother carries her young on her back.3. I eat tiny insects.4. I am found in desert washes, rocky areas, the open desert, and even in your house.5. I am light brown with some yellow coloring.6. I have two pincers with which I can hold and

grab things.7. I am poisonous, and you will be in pain if I

sting you.8. My tail curls and has a stinger at the end of

it.

TARANTULAAphonopelma chalcodesa

1. I have black hair on my body and legs.2. My coloring varies from different shades of

brown to black.3. I live under the ground.4. The female in my species will live in the

same tiny cave her entire life.5. I am very large for my species.6. Even though I don’t usually bite, I scare people so I have been in some movies.7. Although my venom is poisonous to animals,

I rarely hurt humans. 8. I have eight legs.

WESTERN DIAMONDBACK RATTLESNAKECrotalus atrox

1. I can be found in the western part of the United States.

2. I come out to hunt usually at night.3. I mostly eat rats, mice and gophers.4. I produce poison and can be dangerous.5. I am cold blooded.6. I have two fangs and no other teeth.7. When I am frightened, I will curl up like

a garden hose, raise my tail and rattle it to warn you not to come close to me.

8. I have diamond shaped patterns on my back.

HORNED LIZARDPhrynosoma solare

1. I am found only in the western United States and Mexico.

2. I like to eat insects and love ants.3. I like to bury myself in the sand.4. I am cold blooded.5. When frightened I squirt blood from my

eyes. 6. I have very rough skin that looks like scales.7. Although I am only 3-1/2 to 6-1/2 inches

long, some say I look like a small dinasour.8. Some call me a toad, but I am really a lizard.

SPADE-FOOTED TOADScaphiopus couchi

1. I will spend most of my time underground.2. I love to eat insects.3. My rear feet resemble a spade.4. I am cold blooded.5. I will come out when it rains during the sum-

mer months.6. I will lay my eggs in the water.7. Kids like to catch me.8. My skin is a dull brown, green and slippery.9. I get around by hopping.10. There is a story about me turning into a

prince.

GIANT MESQUITE BEETLEThasus gigas

1. I am found in desert areas above the ground and in the mesquite trees.

2. I am very large for my type of creature.3. I love sucking up plant juice.4. I have two antennas and six legs.5. I am red, white and black.6. I can be found in bunches on mesquite

branches.7. I am a fussy eater and will only drink the

juice of the mesquite tree.



MOUNTAIN LION

Felix concolorDescription: The largest cat in the United States - over five feet in length from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail. It can weigh between 100 and 200 pounds. Lives mostly off deer and smaller prey. Habitat: Lives mostly in the mountains but also can be seen in the desert. In AZ, prefers rugged, heavily vegetated areas like the Chiricahua Mountains.

Notes: Also known as Puma or Cougar, they are very shy and try very hard to stay hidden from humans. The lack of understanding of the mountain lion’s habits, along with folklore, has made most people very afraid of this animal.

JAVELINA

Dicotyles tajucuDescription: Weighs 35-50 lbs; very coarse salt and pepper colored hair. Looks and acts like a pig but is not. It belongs to the old world Peccary family.Habitat: Found in Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico (also in South America) living in deserts and lower elevation mountains. Preferred foods are cactus, grass, shrubs, roots and tubers. Any place you find these plants and cactus, you'll likely find javelina. Notes: The javelina has very bad eyesight but a great sense of smell. Has a musk sack that lets out a very strong odor that other javelina can smell from great distances. This is how they can find their herd if they get lost.

WHITE-TAILED DEEROdocoileus virginianus couesi

Description: Adult deer weigh 100 lbs or less. Their hair is tan-gray with white under parts. They are named for their white tail which can only be seen when it's up. The fawns are born with spots on their cinnamon-colored coats, which aid them in hiding from predators. They lose these spots in six months. Habitat: High desert mountains, with rough wooded habitat. Food sources include grass, twigs, leaves, berries, and acorns.Notes: Sometimes mule deer are mistaken for white- tailed deer. When the mule deer’s tail is down it is white with a brown tip. On the white-tailed deer, you only see the white when the tail is up.

RACOONProcyon lotor mexicanus

Description: About the size of a small dog, it has gray fluffy hair with dark markings, a large bushy tail with rings and dark marks around the eyes making it look like a bandit. The raccoon has human-shaped paws that are used to grab objects and clean food.Habitat: Found mostly in woods and forest environments. It is a very intelligent and curious animal and can be found going through trashcans and even inside houses looking for food. Notes: The raccoon eats just about everything and is called an omnivore. Basically nocturnal but can also be seen in the day.

MEXICAN GREY WOLFCanus lupis

Description: Often mistaken for a German Shepherd dog at first glance, but has longer legs, a shorter, straighter tail, bigger ears, and a longer snout. Has a light colored coat with a lot of gray, black, white and some tan. Habitat: Wolves were hunted and trapped almost to extinction. The Mexican Grey Wolf lives in the high elevation desert or lower elevation mountains. Its main source of food is white-tailed deer.Notes: The wolf is a very intelligent animal and learned very quickly to prey on domestic animals - a cause of their demise. Mexican Grey Wolves were re-introduced into the White Mountains in 1999.

COTTONTAIL RABBITSylbilagus audubonii

Description: Gets its name from its fluffy white tail that looks like a cotton ball. Smaller than many rabbits, it has fur that is light grayish-tan with some white. It has clear brown eyes and moderately long ears and is the size of a medium cat. Habitat: The cottontail lives in grassland, creosote brush, desert and mesquite forest. Although very common to the Arizona desert, they can be found in North Dakota, California, Montana, and Texas.Notes: The cottontail defends itself from predators by running fast and darting in different directions. It will also lie very still and quiet so that predators and other threatening animals do not see it.



STRIPED SKUNKMephitis mephitis

Description: About the size of a cat. The striped skunk is distiguished by two white stripes down the back, a big bushy tail and a small head. Males are larger than females. Habitat: The striped skunk can be found in most of the United States and Mexico in the desert, grassy plains and woodlands. The skunk moves slowly using ground cover as camouflage. Notes: Although usually docile, when threatened, the skunk’s defense is to spray a terrible odor up to 12 feet away. Four types of skunks are found in Arizona: striped, spotted, hooded and Hognosed. Skunks are primary carriers of rabies, dead or alive.

SPOTTED SKUNKSpilogale gracilis

Description: This small nocturnal animal averages a total length of about 16 inches. The body is black with white spots on the face, 4 narrow white stripes along the front half of the back, a white blocked rump, and a tail that is half black and half white. Habitat: They live in burrows or rock crevices in any location where there is lots of ground cover. Their diet consist of insects, lizards, rodents, birds’ eggs and cactus fruits.Notes: Their defense consists of stamping their front feet, turning around, hoisting their tail and emitting a replusive odor. They can spray up to 12 feet away.

BEAVERCastor Canadensis

Description: About the size of a medium sized dog with webbed rear feet, a tail shaped like a paddle and large front teeth. The fur is brown and thick. Habitat: Found in mountains and waterways in the western United States. At one time, beavers were found throughout the United States but were depopulated by the fur trade. This species has been reintroduced to the San Pedro River.Notes: In southwestern riparian areas, the beaver was removed or extirpated both for furs and because they were an assumed agent of malaria (mosquitos breed in still water). Beavers must chew wood, or their teeth may grow too big resulting in death.

GRAY ROCK SQUIRRELSpermophilus variegatus

Description: These squirrels’ coats are a mixture of dark grays and yellowish-browns with lighter gray on their front quarters, dirty white underneath, and bushy tails. They are large for ground squirrels, and can be up to 20 inches long.Habitat: They get their name from their favorite habitat of rock with good cover of trees & bushes into which they blend well. They live in dens which can vary from rock slopes to human dwellings.Notes: They always have a lookout point near their dens on which they perch to survey the surroundings. If there is any danger they will let out a loud shrill whistle as a warning.

COYOTECanis latrans

Description: About the size of a medium sized dog, with longer legs and bigger ears, weighing 20 to 50 lbs. The fur is tan and yellow with some black and white. The winter fur is full and thicker and the summer coat is often thin and sick looking.Habitat: Common throughout the United States. Adapts to open plains, forest, desert and brush areas. Prefers small game but will eat about anything.Notes: Often at night, either a lone coyote or a pack can be heard howling. Coyotes are very adaptable and have survived many difficult times. In many native cultures, the coyote is known as the trickster.

BADGERTaxidea taxus

Description: A carnivore about two feet long, weigh-ing 15 to 20 pounds. It is stocky shaped, with short legs, gray fur and distinct facial markings. Its legs are powerful, and it has long claws to dig and quick-ly unearth mice and squirrels.Habitat: Found throughout the Sonoran Desert region. They live in underground burrrows and move from den to den frequently, often every day. Notes: Badgers are solitary and fierce, and most other animals avoid them because they are such good fighters. They eat only at night and roam over very large areas. Baby badgers stay with their mother for three months.



CARDINALCardinali cardinalis

Description: Up to 7 1/2" long, the male is a bright Christmas red with a black face. Both male and female have distinct head crests and red beaks. The female is pinkish-peach colored.

Habitat: They are usually found in the mesquite-bosque and shrubs near the Santa Cruz River. They stay in southern Arizona year-round but are harder to spot in winter along the Santa Cruz.

Notes: They are ground feeders. The male is protec-tive of his mate and surroundings and is known to attack his own reflection in windows because he thinks it is an intruder.

BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRDArchilochus alexandri

Description: About 3" long, a small metallic-green bird with a black throat and white collar below it. With the sun shining just right, a purple patch will flash below his very long beak.

Habitat: These tiny birds winter in Mexico and then will travel as far north as Montana. Along the way they feed on nectar from brightly colored flowers.

Notes: The nest of the hummingbird is found in the fork of a branch and is only 1" high and 1-1/2" across. They can fly forward and backward, up and down. Their wings move so fast they make a humming sound, giving them their name.

GILA WOODPECKERMelanerpes uropygialis

Description: This woodpecker has black and white zebra like stripes on the back and tail. Only the male has a bright red cap.

Habitat: They live year-round in the southwestern desert, woodland and cottonwood groves along the rivers. They eat insects, fruits of cactus, berries and the eggs of other birds.

Notes: The Gila Woodpecker is very common to the Santa Cruz River and can often be heard squawking.

TURKEY VULTURECathartes aura

Description: Large black bird (25") with a bald, red head. When flying they have a wingspan of 6' and its wingtip feathers are spread apart, resembling fingers.

Habitat: They are found in open arid country, can-yons and grasslands throughout the world. They are scavengers and feed on dead animals or carrion.

Notes: They soar high in the sky on thermal cur-rents and can spot food from 2-1/2 miles away. Some Indian tribes thought the birds were messengers of the gods because of the way they soared higher and higher until they disappeared.

RED-TAILED HAWKButeo jamaicensis

Description: A large brown bird (18" long) with pale streaked breast, a dark belly band and a rusty red tail. They have a 4 foot wingspan, sharp claws or talons and a strong beak.

Habitat: Commonly found in open country, deserts and mountains. Often seen circling lazily in the air or perched on poles watching for their dinner which is usually mice, rabbits and other small animals.

Notes: They build a bulky platform nest of sticks that they defend by diving and screaming at intrud-ers.

GREATER ROADRUNNERGeococcyx californianus

Description: A large (22") ground bird with brown streaks, a shaggy crest, a very long tail, heavy beak and long blue legs.

Habitat: They live year-round in the Southwest des-erts and mesquite shrub lands. Although they do fly, they prefer to run, hence, the name roadrunner. They are great hunters and eat the fruit of cactus, scorpions, tarantulas and snakes including rattlers.

Notes: We know them best from the Roadrunner cartoon with Wiley E. Coyote. Among Native Americans and Hispanics they were thought of as courageous and great hunters.



GIANT DESERT HAIRY SCORPIONHadrurus arizonensis

Description: This arachnid is 5-1/2 inches long, with two pinchers and a stinger tipped “tail” that curves over its back when threatened. It is tan with a yellowish back and brown hair on its legs and body.Habitat: Found in the desert along dry river washes, rocky areas and in more familiar places like in desert gardens and work sheds. This scorpion lives where it can prey on small, soft-bodied insects.Notes: The female carries her young on her back for 10-15 days. The young will shed their skin several times before reaching maturity. Scorpions are venomous, and a person can get very sick if stung.

TARANTULAAnphopelma chalcodesa

Description: These spiders are very hairy with long legs. Their color varies from dark brown to black with some grey. The female has hooks that look like large fangs and both male and female have a tight cluster of eight eyes.Habitat: They are found in many parts of Arizona but mainly in the southwestern desert areas. They live in sandy washes and open desert areas in burrows. Their diet consists of insects and small rodents, such as mice, lizards and small snakes.Notes: A tarantula’s bite, although painful, is not life threatening. It will only bite if provoked. Females live 20 years and males live 8-10 years.

WESTERN DIAMONDBACK RATTLESNAKECrotalus atrox

Description: Up to six feet long. Its name comes from the dark diamond shaped blotches on its back. Skin color is tan, yellow and very light pink. Like all rattlesnakes, the head is shaped like an arrow. Habitat: Southeastern California to Arizona, New Mexico, to Arkansas and Northern Mexico. Lives in caves or under the ground. Lies on top of rocks, along trails, under bushes, and near open washes.Notes: Although very dangerous, the snake is just as afraid of you as you are of it. The rattle is a warning. Be careful and leave it alone and it will leave you alone. Rattlesnake help keep rodent and rat population in balance by hunting them at night.

HORNED LIZARDPhrynosoma solare

Description: This lizard has many scales and is crowned with sharp looking spines. Its color varies from tan to shades of dark brown and orange. The body is flat and close to the ground.Habitat: These lizards can be found throughout Southern Arizona and into parts of Northern Mexico. They prefer rocky, sandy areas with shrub brush and succulents. They eat bugs and love ants and sometimes will eat very small snakes.Notes: When threatened, they will squirt blood from their eyes. Their bodies will become very rigid when picked up.

GIANT MESQUITE BUGTassus gigas

Description: This bug is large and can be scary to look at. It has two long antennas and six legs. The color of this bug varies between black and red. Habitat: The main area you find these bugs is any place where mesquite trees grow. Their diet consists mostly of the juice found in mesquite trees. Notes: They can feed so much on the mesquite tree by sucking the juices that this beetle can actually kill part or sometimes the whole tree.

SPADE-FOOTED TOADScaphiopus couchi

Description: Generally considered to be a small to medium sized toad with a white belly. The upper part of his body is yellowish green with different shades of marbling. The eardrum is clearly outside with no hump between the eyes. The body is plump and long.Habitat: This toad can survive dry conditions so it is found in desert areas where mesquite and creosote grow. They live in other mammals’ burrows and loose soil or sand. Their diet consists of insects and the larvae of insects.Notes: Their voice is very loud like a bleating lamb and can be heard from a long way.



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